Local clubs a force again

Finishing with 39 gold, 38 silver and 30 bronze medals, Sorrento was named the most improved surf sports club for the third year in a row.

Winning the open and under-19 beach sprints, open and under-19 beach relays with his teammates and coming second in the open and under-19 beach flags, Jackson Symonds (18) was named Sorrento’s athlete of the meet.

Head coach Andrew Ridley said Symonds’ performance put him in a good position for the Australian Championships on the Gold Coast next month.

Other standout Sorrento performers were Ryan Watkins (15) with four gold, four silver and three bronze medals, Josh McCall (16) with four gold, three silver and one bronze and Liam Ryan (19) with seven gold, two silver and one bronze.

‘It is exciting to see our athletes achieve after putting in the hard work,’ Ridley said.

Although Mullaloo finished the event with 35 gold, 39 silver and 28 bronze medals, the biggest highlight was the Barracudas (sweep Paul Beattie and rowers Steve Hilyear, David Holmes, Robert Szewczak and Marcus Blake) winning the open male surf boat for the first time in the club’s 50-year history, ending North Cottesloe’s seven-year winning streak.

Mullaloo surf sports general manger Sandy Clarke said the Barracudas, starting as underdogs, rounded the turning buoy equal first with the reigning champs and then powered away to a convincing win.

This year was also the first time Mullaloo won the lifesaver relay, where the team must include one female and a competitor from each age group, and involves a surf boat, swim, board and ski leg.

Mullaloo also won the A.D. Scott Cup for the most points scored in the under-19 events, with Ross Briggs (19) dominating this division to win five gold, two silver and two bronze medals, along with standout performances from Jack Retty (18), Sam Wood (18) and Laura Edmunds (19).

Brett Gould (17) also performed well, with five gold, four silver and one bronze medal.

Hillarys resident Brittanny Brymer was also a strong competitor for City of Perth SLSC, winning nine gold and two silver medals.

Trigg Island and City of Perth finished the championships first and second.